Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis launches $1 million police recruitment campaign
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s largest city launched a new campaign Wednesday aimed at keeping police officers in its ranks and increasing recruitment.
In 2022, Minneapolis approved $7 million to pay for recruitment efforts to fill police positions and dispatch. Nearly $1 million of that funding is going towards getting the word out.
A new campaign launched Wednesday hopes to kick hiring into high gear.
From the people you call for help to the officers that show up, city leaders say staffing shortages in public safety departments are not sustainable.
“This campaign is really about people’s lives,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara says his department is 40% smaller than it was at the start of 2020.
MORE NEWS: Rep. Dean Phillips, Minnesota Democrat, says he is suspending presidential campaign
“We rely more and more on mandatory overtime, on officers working overtime to officers performing multiple,” O’Hara said.
911 Director Joni Hodne says her team needs 10 to 15 more people to answer emergency calls.
“A shortage at 911 can lead to a delayed response, catastrophic results, we cannot miss a call,” Hodne said.
From social media aids to college visits, they believe this new campaign will reach more people.
“We are doing everything possible to get the word out,” Frey stated.
The campaign is aimed at attracting 18 to 44-year-olds in a 300-mile radius of Minneapolis.
O’Hara says there’s reason for hope: They’ve already received 500 leads for potential applicants who are interested, up from 140 this time last year.
“I truly believe Minneapolis will be the greatest law enforcement comeback story in America,” O’Hara said.
The city is also working to streamline applications to get qualified candidates through the door faster.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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